Blackhawks vs Rangers Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Blackhawks Can't Beat Igor

Kicking off Thursday’s NHL slate is an interconference matchup with the New York Rangers hosting the Chicago Blackhawks.

This matchup is the first meeting between these two clubs in nearly 13 months.

Will New York take care of business as large NHL odds favorites, or can Chicago keep things close? Find out in our free NHL picks for Rangers vs. Blackhawks on Thursday, January 4.

Blackhawks vs Rangers odds

Blackhawks vs Rangers predictions

The Chicago Blackhawks currently sit in 31st place and the team is playing as poorly as ever and looks to potentially land back-to-back first-overall picks. Connor Bedard has been as advertised, but he is pretty much the only guy doing anything productive offensively for this team other than Jason Dickinson.

This team simply can’t score, averaging a mere two goals per game over their past 17. There have been six or fewer total goals scored in 10 of those 17 outings.

To make matters worse, this forward group is riddled with injuries — and it was an already thin group to begin with. The Hawks are expected to be without Joey Anderson, Taylor Raddysh, Anthony Beauvillier, and Tyler Johnson.

Those four forwards join the already-injured Andreas Athanasiou and Taylor Hall. Now, this roster of AHL’ers is tasked with going against one of the best goaltenders in the world, Igor Shesterkin.

Through 23 starts this season, Shesterkin is 15-8 with a .908 SV% and 2.83 GAA. This success is likely to continue against Chicago, a team he is 2-0 in his career with a commanding .943 SV% and 2.00 GAA.

Those two games came against a team with a much stronger lineup than what the Blackhawks are throwing out on Thursday. Also making Shesterkin’s job easier is the fact that he plays behind a strong blue line.

At 5-on-5, the New York Rangers rank in the top half of the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60). Even if New York put up four goals, I would be shocked if Chicago scored more than twice.

My best bet: Under 6 (+104 at FanDuel)

Blackhawks vs Rangers same-game parlay

Under 6

Rangers moneyline

+126 at FanDuel

While I certainly don’t trust the Hawks to score more than twice, perhaps goaltender Petr Mrazek can limit New York’s damage offensively. Despite playing behind a bottom-two team in hockey, Mrazek has performed well in an unfair situation.

Through 24 appearances in the crease, Mrazek boasts a .904 SV% and 3.24 GAA. The last time he faced the Rangers, he stopped 21 of 22 pucks for a .955 SV%.

New York also has not been as efficient offensively this season, ranking in the bottom half of the league in expected goals-for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) at 5-on-5. However, it still ranks far higher than Chicago, a team that ranks last in the same category.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Blackhawks vs Rangers moneyline and Over/Under analysis

The Rangers opened as a –385 favorite and have since been bet up to -400. While this is a ridiculously long number for any NHL game, I suspect that the market will keep inflating this number as there is not a single advantage the Hawks have in this game.

That brings us to the total, which opened between six and 6.5, depending on the book. While I am choosing to play the Under 6 at +106, I think there is also value in Under 6.5 at –128 if you wish to go that route.

Finally, New York has won five of the past six meetings between these two teams.

Blackhawks vs Rangers betting trend to know

There have been six or fewer total goals scored in 10 of Chicago’s past 17 games. Find more NHL betting trends for Blackhawks vs. Rangers.

Blackhawks vs Rangers game info

Blackhawks vs Rangers latest injuries

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